Monthly Archives: June 2014

I was already a fan of Adovia hair care products, so I was excited to try their anti-aging facial serum (called Adovia Mineral Lift Serum) when they offered me a free trial bottle to test out.

This anti-aging and plumping formula is lightweight, almost like a gel, and disappears into the skin quickly, so you won’t feel greasy or damp afterwards, even during humid summertime days. That is also great because you can layer foundation, primer or makeup over the serum soon, rather than waiting around for it to sink in like with other moisturizing products.

I didn’t notice my fine lines disappearing; however, my skin was well hydrated, and I have definitely noticed fading of some of the redness that was on my face from battling past acne. My skin has also cleared up and is behaving nicely since using this serum. I think the serum is having a tangible effect because my overall skin tone looks noticeably better and even.

I am a big believer in vitamins and antioxidants, both of which are in this serum; I think they are working, because this is the best my face has looked in months. I can wholeheartedly recommend this product to anyone who wants a fast absorbing moisturizer with additional skin-improving benefits like tone correction.

When I was a little kid, I used to travel to my mother’s homeland, Finland, every other summer to see my grandparents and family. One of my favorite things to do in Finland each summer was to hunt for and consume the miniature wild strawberries that used to grow in the woods. They always tasted better than domesticated strawberries because they had such an intense, concentrated, heightened strawberry flavor.

This soda, flavored in part by Wisconsin honey, is really sweet, so if you prefer dry, bitter or sour drinks, this one is not for you. But if you have a sweet tooth like me, you won’t mind the syrupy strawberry goodness. The brewery notes that all of its gourmet sodas are caffeine-free and gluten-free.

I think it’s cool that this soda is produced using a gas-powered brew kettle–how many other soda brands can say that?! As far as my research goes, this is a feature that makes Sprecher’s gourmet sodas truly distinctive.

Refresco Goya specializes in tropical flavored sodas and is part of the largest Hispanic American owned business in the United States. Once only available in specialty grocery stores, these sodas are now found in many mainstream chains likeWegmans, where I picked up my bottle.

Goya Coconut Soda is not as intense as some of the other fruity flavors this brand makes, so a person who wants a subtle soda rather than in-your-face fruit taste might prefer this one.

The flavor of this soda kind of builds up over time. My first sip tasted like a sugar bomb, all sweetness. My second and third sips were very creamy, very similar to a generic cream soda. Only on the fourth or fifth sip did the coconut taste finally hit me. Again, this drink is probably for someone who wants high sugar content and subtle flavor. If you don’t like vanilla, skip this one.

Although I find this soda to be tasty enough for cooling down on a hot Friday night, it’s not my favorite Goya offering. I actually am one of those people who wants an in-your-face fruit sensation when I try a new bebida.

So I will continue to forge ahead, sampling every new soda I can and hunting for a coconut soda that has a bolder flavor.

This bracing, tingly feeling is great after a hot summer’s day and makes you feel confident the mask is working. Dead Sea mud is renowned around the world for its cleansing and smoothing properties, and this mask certainly delivers both. I felt my skin and pores were cleaner than they had been in a long time after using this mask, which the creators recommend using once per week. I think the mask really did help to absorb and remove dirt and dead skin cells from my pores, which is important to me right now, as my increased use of daily sun block has resulted in some stopped up pores and pimples that I want to actively fight against. I now have this powerful mask in my arsenal.

My skin is normal to oily and this mud mask is perfect for skin like mine. If your skin is sensitive, however, this mask might be too strong for you and might possibly cause redness or irritation. I had no trouble with it, however; my skin was thoroughly cleansed and felt great, not tight or irritated, after all of the tingling. I did not have any redness or flaking skin, which can happen with some other mud masks that contain manmade chemicals. This mask, in contrast, contains all natural ingredients.

In addition to being safe and natural, this product is cruelty free and seems to be Made in the USA (although the mud is obviously from the Dead Sea).

The mask also contains organic shea butter, jojoba oil and aloe vera, so it will cleanse without drying.

Overall, this is an effective product I will gladly use over and over again (the jar might look small in the photo, but it is a significant amount of product, plus a little goes a long way, so it’s a good buy).

On a final note, I was provided a free jar of this mask to try in trade for my honest review. I have no complaints about this mud mask, and I’m a huge believer in Dead Sea mud products in general, but for me the eucalyptus element was a bit strong. But that’s just me and I don’t want my individual scent preferences to sway you in any way, as my personal scent preferences are sometimes unusual.

I used the serum for several weeks, and as a result some of the patches of hyperpigmentation on my left temple are clearly beginning to disappear from the outer edges inward. It has been slow but steady progress. It might be possible to achieve faster results with a laser, but why risk possible injury from a laser treatment when you don’t have to? It might also be faster to use some chemical-filled wonder cream, but I don’t want to slather a bunch of chemicals on my face. This serum is 98% natural, 72% organic and Made in the USA, so I trust it as something I can continue to apply on my face daily without harm.

This serum sinks in quickly and delivers moisture (the hyaluronic acid is present to assist with moisturization). Dont be scared of the hyaluronic acid ingredient–this serum feels smooth and soft, not at all abrasive or acidic, and it is not “citrusy” in terms of scent or texture.

I think individuals with sensitive skin can handle this product without trouble, as it feels very gentle–no burning or tingling sensations.

Full disclosure: (1) I received a free bottle to try, but I chose this product based on an actual skin condition I have and want to improve upon, and (2) if you use this serum twice daily as directed, to maintain the positive results you MUST wear sunscreen daily. This is not because there is anything amiss in the serum itself; it’s just that you will accrue sun damage and reverse the improvements brought about by the Vitamin C Serum if you go out into the sun unprotected.

All in all, I think this is a great serum for individuals who prefer all natural skin care solutions that feel mild but work effectively without causing any irritation.

Where you can get your serum: Amazon
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.